Union IG Metall pushes for a 7% pay increase; confrontational collective bargaining negotiations ahead.
Ample work orders have workers' unions, specifically IG Metall, prepping for an internal vote preceding the upcoming wage round. Employers stirred controversy with their proposals for a "zero-round" (no wage increase).
IG Metall aims to push for a 7% wage hike for the roughly 3.9 million workers in the metal and electrical sector during the upcoming wage negotiations. Additionally, they plan to increase training allowances by €170 per month, reveals the union following a board meeting. They also aim to pressure companies to address the social component for lower wage groups.
Nadine Boguslawski, the Tariff Vice-President, states, "Companies are raking in profits while employees are suffering." Work orders have been sustained for over a month past normal duration. "One-time payments from the past wage agreement have mitigated inflation," she adds.
IG Metall prior to this demand recommendation, consulted 318,000 industry workers. The finalized demand will be decided by the IG Metall board on July 9 following discussions in the regional tariff districts of the union.
The wage round is anticipated to be challenging, with employers citing declining inflation and the 2022 wage agreement as reasons for proposing a "zero-round." Union chairwoman Benner condemns this as "disrespectful" and an "insult to employees." She even threatened strikes in an interview with the "Süddeutsche Zeitung." The initial negotiations in the tariff areas are scheduled no later than September 16. With the peace obligation ending on October 28, strikes are a possibility as early as October 29.
